Fears for elderly hit by home care cuts

CUTS to home care put elderly and vulnerable people at risk, say the vast majority of GPs questioned in a poll.

Research carried out by Nef consulting shows it saves the NHS up to £10,000 per patient long-term []

As many as 88 per cent of family doctors quizzed in the British Red Cross survey said their patients were being jeopardised by a lack of home support.

They fear increasing isolation among older people, more accidents and growing pressure on hospital beds and NHS funds.

Extra research by the advisory group Nef Consulting also found that economies are false and when lower-level care is funded it drastically improves lives and saves the NHS up to £10,000 per patient long-term.

Sir Nick Young of the British Red Cross, said: “Cuts which jeopardise patients’ wellbeing and dignity must be challenged.

“The practical and emotional support these services offer often makes the difference between coping or not, between independence or desperation, and between remaining healthy or rapidly deteriorating.

The system treats people only when they have already reached crisis-point

Sir Nick Young of the British Red Cross

“The system treats people only when they have already reached crisis-point.”